When Mammootty’s project became a Mohanlal’s Blockbuster

‘Devasuram’ is the biggest blockbuster from Mohanlal-IV Sasi combination and writer Renjith had Mammootty in mind as ‘Mangalasherri Neelakandan’ in the first place, but due to date clash Mammoootty withdrew from the project and Mohanlal became Neelakandan. Similarly Renjith had Mammootty in mind for ‘Aaraam Thampuran’ and he also had a script for Manoj K Jayan for Shaji Kailas. In this scenario Manianpilla Raju happened to know about ‘Aaraam Thampuran’s story.

Excited Manianpilla Raju convinced the team that the character Jagannadhan will be more apt for Mohanlal and the news reached producer Suresh Kumar who discussed the story with Mohanlal. As the positive vibe grasped the entire team suddenly ‘Aaraam Thampuran’ (1997) project started rolling. The film also had Manju Warrier, Priya Raman, Oduvil Unnikrishnan and Srividya in important roles with Narendra Prasad playing the antogonist ‘Kulappully Appan Thampuran’, one of his best performances. ‘Aaraam Thampuran’ became the biggest blockbuster of Malayalam films. Later Shaji and Renjith gave Mammootty, ‘Valyettan’, another blockbuster in consolation of Aaraam Thampuran.